Fur-stretcher.



W. A. SCOTTL v FUR STRETUHER. APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 11, 1909.

Patented June 21, 1910.

2 SHEETSSHEBT 1.

W. A. SCOTT.

FUR STEP-TUBER- APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1909.

Patented June 21,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

T/VZZSOZZA. 800k? amwmg WILSON A. SCOTT, OF MURRAY, NEBRASKA.

FUR-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 21, 1910.

Application filed August 11, 1909. Serial No. 512,452.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILSON A. Soon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Murray, in the county of Cass and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in F ur-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for holding and stretching furs or hides, the object of the invention being to provide a simple, efficient and inexpensive construction of device of this character which is adjustable to suit the size of fur to be held and stretched and will hold the fur properly distended.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a fur stretcher embodying my in vention. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a hide stretched upon the frame and illustrating in full and dotted lines the movement of the block and spring arms in the stretching operation. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a portion of the stretcher showing a modification.

The device comprises a main central rod or stem 1 having at its lower end a piercing point 2 and at its upper end a suspending eye or the like 3. Slidably mounted for longitudinal adjustment on said rod or stem 1 is a block or head 4, in general of oblong rectangular form and extending transversely of the rod. Upon the sides of said block or head are provided hooks or other devices 5 to engage the fur which is to be connected therewith.

Secured in any suitable manner at their lower ends to the rod 1 are oppositely arranged stretcher arms 6, which are longitudinally bowed or curved and diverge toward their free ends from the rod, from which they are adapted to move outward by spring action. These arms extend through guide openings 7 formed in the ends of the block or head 4, by which the longitudinal movement of said block or head on the rod 1 will cause the arms 6 to be moved toward and from the rod. The openings are of sufficient size to permit a slight degree of inward movement of the arms and to provide for their free movement or adjustment relative to the rod 1.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the tendency of the spring arms 6 is to normally move outward or away from the stem 1, and that said arms normally bear against the outer walls of the openings 7, by which their outward movement is limited. When the block 4 is moved on the stem 1 toward the point 2, it will ac cordingly be apparent that the outer walls of the openings 7 will force the major portions of the arms 6 inwardly, owing to the increasing resistance of the block to the expansion of the arms as said block is adjusted toward the center of the arms, while a reverse movement of the block 4 toward the eye 3 will permit the major portions of the arms to spread, owing to the decreasing resistance of the block to the expansion of the arms as said block is moved toward the free ends of the arms.

In practice, the stretchers may be made of different sizes to suit diflerent sizes of hides to be stretched, and the block 4: is designed to have but a limited range of movement on the stem 1.

In the operation of applying the device to a hide to be stretched and suspended, the block 4 is adjusted to the limit of its inward movement, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the device then inserted into the hide A through a slit formed therein, the point 2 inserted into the tail portion of the hide and the sides of the latter engaged below the head portion there of with the spurs 5. In this normal position of the block the major portions of the arms will be held in the full line position shown in Fig. 1 and dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 by the resistance of the walls of the openings 7 to their distention. The block is then adjusted toward the eye 3 the required distance, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, to decrease its resistance to the outward movement of the major portions of the arms, which will accordingly bow or spring outwardly from the dotted to the full line position shown in Fig. 2, by which they will engage opposite sides of the hide and stretch or distend the same to the desired tension. As this degree of distention of the hide is ordinarily very slight, it will be understood that but a comparatively small degree of outward movement of the arms is required. The hide may then be suspended while it is being dried or subjected to any other kind of treatment. By inserting the hand and restoring the block to normal position the arms may be retracted and the hide detached from the spurs and removed Any suitable means may be provided to hold the block or head 4 in adjusted position against possibility of casual extraction. In the present instance I have shown the head provided with a spring detent or look ing dog 8 to bear against the rod 1, by which the head will be securely held in any position to which it is adjusted.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a modified form of locking means, in which a wire spring locking dog 8 is mounted upon the block and adapted to interlock with shoulder notches or projections 1 on the stem 1 to secure the block in adjusted position.

I claim 1. A fur stretcher comprising a main stem, spring arms secured at one end to the stem, and a head slidably mounted on the stem and slidably engaging the arms, whereby the latter may be expanded or contracted.

2. A fur stretcher comprising a main stem, spring arms connected at one end with the stem, and having their free ends relatively diverging therefrom, and a head slidable on the stem and having openings for the passage of the arms, whereby through the sliding movements of the head the arms may be adjusted toward and from the stem. 3. A fur stretcher comprising a main stem, spring arms secured at one end to the stem, a head slidably mounted on the stem and having openings for the passage of the arms, and locking means for securing the head in'adjusted position on the stem.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IVILSON A. SCOTT.

IVitnesses IV. Gr. BOEDEKER, Gr. 1-1. GILMORE. 

